13. Why Auto wallas talk in Hindi

Hindi is the first choice

I am a South
Indian who can speak fluent Kannada and who lives in HSR Layout which has a lot
of North Indians.

I have noticed that many a
time, when I take an auto rickshaw, the auto walla asks in Hindi “Kahan
jana hai?” i.e. “Where do you want to go?” Hindi has been the default language used in HSR, where even
most shop keepers speak in Hindi.

On these occasions when I
have asked the Auto walla in Kannada “Kannada Baruthe?” i.e. “Do you
know Kannada?”

The auto walla has always
said in the affirmative, “Yes”. In turn, I have questioned him
“Why did you struggle to talk in Hindi when we could have easily
communicated in Kannada?”

Auto
wallas have given different reasons like:

“You
are a bit fair, so I thought you are a Hindi speaking North Indian.”

“Since
you are in HSR which has so many persons speaking Hindi, I thought you too are
North Indian”

Auto walla
“You are a bit fair, so I thought you are a Hindi speaking North Indian.”

Once
this language issue has been sorted out, generally, we have chatted in Kannada
and we have had a pleasant journey
since a common ground has been established.